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Obese young children may have less risk for high blood pressure if their mother took the omega-3 fatty acid DHA — found in fish oil — during pregnancy, new research suggests. The findings could be important since rising numbers of American children are obese and experiencing hikes in blood pressure. That could have long-term consequences for their health, said study co-author Susan Carlson. She’s professor of nutrition at the University of Kansas. “It is known that blood pressure tracks over time, such that people with higher blood pressure early in life are more likely to have higher blood pressure later in life,” she said in a university news release. The study tracked 171 children born in the Kansas City area. During pregnancy, half of the children’s mothers took 600 milligrams a day of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) — which is found in prenatal vitamins, fish oil supplements and fish — while the other half took a placebo. The children’s blood pressure was then checked a number of times between the ages of 4 and 6. Among kids who were overweight or obese, higher blood pressure was found in those whose mothers took a placebo during pregnancy, but not in those whose mothers took DHA during pregnancy, the researchers found. On average, overweight/obese children of mothers in the placebo group had 3.94 mm Hg higher systolic (top… read on >

If life looks gray and cloudy when you smoke, you might not be imagining it. Heavy smoking may actually damage color and contrast vision, researchers report. They looked at 71 healthy people who smoked fewer than 15 cigarettes in their lives and 63 people who smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day. The participants were aged 25 to 45 and had normal or corrected-to-normal vision. But the heavy smokers showed significant changes in their red-green and blue-yellow color vision and also had greater difficulty discriminating contrasts and colors than nonsmokers. “Our results indicate that excessive use of cigarettes, or chronic exposure to their compounds, affects visual discrimination, supporting the existence of overall deficits in visual processing with tobacco addiction,” said co-author Steven Silverstein, director of research at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. “Cigarette smoke consists of numerous compounds that are harmful to health, and it has been linked to a reduction in the thickness of layers in the brain, and to brain lesions, involving areas such as… the area of the brain that processes vision,” he added in a university news release. And, he noted, “Previous studies have pointed to long-term smoking as doubling the risk for age-related macular degeneration and as a factor causing lens yellowing and inflammation.” Nicotine and smoking harm the body’s circulatory system, and these findings indicate they also damage blood… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Unwanted pigmentation problems, such as dark spots, can occur in all skin types. Dark spots are primarily caused by sun damage, the American Academy of Dermatology says, noting that the severity of dark spots varies with a person’s history of sun exposure. The academy mentions these ways to treat pigmentation problems among lighter-skinned people: Dark spots from early sun damage are often superficial, affecting only the top layer of skin. Dermatologists frequently recommend topical retinol, an over-the-counter form of vitamin A. But consult a dermatologist about any dark spots that appear suspicious. When topical therapy fails, superficial chemical peels containing salicylic acid and glycolic acid may be used. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices and Q-switched lasers also may be used alone or in combination with topical therapies to selectively target dark spots. Lasers and IPL devices should only be used under the direct supervision of a physician. Daily sun protection with a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays and has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or greater is important in preventing additional sun damage.

(HealthDay News) — The United States has pledged to reduce food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. The FDA offers these suggestions to help accomplish the national goal: Prepare a shopping list before going to the market to avoid overbuying. If available, select fruits or vegetables that often get left behind at the grocery, but are safe to eat. When eating out, ask for smaller portions to prevent plate waste and keep you from overeating. Keep foods in the fridge at 40 degrees F or below to keep them safe. Refrigerate cut or peeled vegetables to keep them fresh. Use your freezer to prevent foods from going bad. Be aware of expiration dates on your food. Know that some food can be consumed safely past the date on the package. But avoid foods that are discolored, smelly or moldy. If you prepare too much food for a party, send your guests home with leftovers.

Nuts are a delicious food to enjoy year-round, adding a richer taste to many of your favorite dishes. High in protein, fiber and essential minerals, nuts also contain healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats that help fight inflammation. Nuts are natural hunger-busters, but pay attention to your portion size. A snack of 10 to 12 peanuts, walnuts, pistachios or hazelnuts clocks in at about 100 calories. Toasting nuts brings out their flavor and improves their texture. Simply place a handful of nuts in a dry, small skillet over medium-low heat. Cook two to three minutes, transfer to a cutting board, and chop or use whole. You can also bake nuts in a preheated 350-degree oven for eight to 10 minutes. For hazelnuts and pistachios, transfer to a dry dish towel and rub the toasted nuts to remove their skins, which may be bitter. Chopped or ground nuts are also a healthier alternative to breadcrumbs. Here’s a tasty way to use them with fish. Pistachio-Crusted Salmon 2 4-ounce salmon fillets, skin on 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons chopped pistachios Olive oil cooking spray Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place salmon in a baking dish, skin side down. Spread mustard over the surface of the salmon, then top with chopped nuts and spritz lightly with cooking spray. Tent loosely with aluminum foil and bake eight to 10… read on >

Osteoporosis is a threat to many women, especially after menopause. But the lead up to weak, brittle bones can start much earlier in life. When bone density drops but isn’t yet at the level of osteoporosis, it’s called osteopenia. Osteopenia affects more than 33 million Americans over age 50, men and women, while 10 million have osteoporosis. Yet the DEXA scan, the painless X-ray-based test that measures bone density, isn’t recommended for women until age 65, when they may need bone-building drugs to avoid fractures. For men, the prevalence of osteoporosis doesn’t increase with age until 80, but even then, there are no screening guidelines. So, what’s the answer? Cost versus benefit is one reason insurers don’t universally cover the scan for women under 65. But you may be a candidate for earlier testing if you broke a bone after age 45, are losing height, are developing a slumped or hunched posture, or have sudden, unexplained back pain. If you’re healthy but have concerns about bone health or risk factors for osteoporosis, you can talk to your doctor about earlier testing. Factors that can increase your fracture risk include your height and weight — very thin women are at greater risk. Not getting enough exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, a family history of osteoporosis or having a parent who broke a hip are others. Having a… read on >

For decades, U.S. doctors have battled the long hours and demanding schedules that often lead to “burnout.” But a new study brings welcome news, showing a slight decline in the numbers of physicians dealing with the issue. In the third of a series of studies, researchers surveyed more than 5,400 doctors nationwide and found that 44 percent reported at least one symptom of burnout in 2017, compared with about 54 percent in 2014 and nearly 46 percent in 2011. The researchers also surveyed workers in other fields and found that levels of burnout remained the same, about 28 percent. “Physicians remain at increased risk for burnout relative to workers in other fields, but there is some good news,” lead author Dr. Tait Shanafelt, director of Stanford University’s WellMD Center, said in a school news release. “For the first time, we’re seeing improvement in the prevalence of burnout symptoms in physicians nationally.” Not all the news was good, however. Declines in burnout symptoms among doctors were not seen across all specialties. Levels among obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery and some other specialties did not fall significantly in 2017, the findings showed. The researchers also found a steady increase in the percentage of doctors screening positive for depression: just over 38 percent in 2011; nearly 40 percent in 2014; and almost 42 percent in 2017. In addition,… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Mom’s Prenatal Fish Oil Might Help Kids’ Blood Pressure Later

A Hard Look at Smoking’s Effect on Vision

Health Tip: Treat Uneven Skin Pigmentation

Health Tip: Reduce Food Waste

Go Nuts Over Nuts

What’s the Right Age to Test for Osteoporosis?

Fewer U.S. Doctors Are Facing Burnout

Health Tip: Treat Uneven Skin Pigmentation

Health Tip: Reduce Food Waste

Go Nuts Over Nuts